Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Rolls Out 3rd Annual Midsummer Night's Series

Jul 22, 2008

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INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - After the curtain closes on this summer's season of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, the entertainment continues with a series of post-season events at Sand Harbor State Park from Aug. 29 - 31 with the Festival's 3rd annual Midsummer Night's Series.

Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m.: Live music and spectacular dance serenade the Lake Tahoe audience when the Sierra Nevada Ballet presents "The Best of Broadway" On the Beach. International stars perform musical numbers from theatre's most memorable productions such as "West Side Story," "Show Boat," "The Barkley's of Broadway," "Top Hat" and more, courtesy of musicians Susan Mazer and Dallas Smith accompanied by renowned jazz singer Cami Thompson. Sam Weber, "the fastest feet in tap," will lead a dynamic cast of dancers including Domingo Rubio from the Robert Altman movie "The Company" and the sensuous Ananda Bena-Weber. The evening concludes with "Dance with the Stars Under the Stars" where prominent local residents of Lake Tahoe's North Shore will dance live with the Sierra Nevada Ballet artists in a grand finale presentation.

Aug. 30 at 7:30 p.m.: Spend an evening under the stars with five-time Grammy award nominee David Benoit, courtesy of the Crystal Bay Casino Roadshow. Known for his extraordinary and seminal contributions to contemporary jazz and classical music, Benoit has arranged, conducted and performed music for many popular pop and jazz artists over the years including Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Dave Koz, Kenny Rankin, Faith Hill, David Lanz, Cece Winans, David Pack, David Sanborn, The Walt Disney Organization and Brian McKnight. His long association with Charles Schulz and the famed Peanuts realm led to over ten years of composing music for Peanuts TV specials on CBS.

August 31 at 7:30 p.m.: Join Jamie Davis and friends from the Count Basie Orchestra for an evening of big band jazz and soulful gospel music under the stars. One of the great male vocalists with a full-deep baritone voice, Davis has been paired with some of the world's most famous talent including Patty Austin, Tony Bennett and George Benson, to name a few. Davis' solo CDs include "It's All About Love" and "It's A Good Thing" in addition to his newest release "Vibe Over Perfection." The legendary Count Basie Orchestra, known as one of the most thriving big in bands in history, boasts over 17 Grammy awards and is famous for appearances and recordings with such music giants as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett.

Tickets for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival's Midsummer Night's Series start at $27 with VIP tickets priced at $125 and include preferred reserved seating and exclusive pre-show and intermission meet and greets in Clarity with the artistic staff. Tickets are now available online with reduced handling fees at www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com or by calling 888-32-SHOWS (888-327-4697).

The regular season of the 2008 Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival begins July 9 - Aug. 17, with shows running seven nights a week. This year's performances include "A Midsummer Nights Dream" and "Richard III" and the new original musical "CAMBIO." For details, log on to www.LakeTahoeShakespeare.com.

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established for the cultural benefit and enjoyment of all residents and visitors to Lake Tahoe and Reno. Annually drawing more than 30,000 attendees from across the country to the specially built Warren Edward Trepp Stage along the north shore of Lake Tahoe, the Festival is a regional advocate for producing the finest cultural events in the region. Through its in-house artistic direction, the Festival produces three plays each summer, creating original costuming, set design and choreography, and attracting a team of national and international stage talent. The Festival's community outreach includes and annual program, InterACT, designed to educate future generations on the importance of the arts, theatre and music.

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